The next morning, Alanna slept in and had lazy morning. She and Jenny sat around talking and drinking tea. By noon, Alanna was getting antsy so she showered and went into town. She ate lunch at a cafe and then went to the White House.

Alanna stopped by Sam's office but he wasn't there. Neither was Toby in his office. She started to head to Leo's office when she saw Josh.

``Hi Josh. Do you know where Sam or Toby is?''

``Actually, they're on the hill. They probably won't be back until later this afternoon.''

``Okay, thanks. I guess I'll just go see Leo.''

Josh shook his head. ``I don't think so. Leo's with the President. He'll probably be there for awhile. Why don't you come down to my office? We haven't really had a chance to talk since you got here.''

Alanna nodded and followed Josh to his office. She had only meant to stay a couple of minutes and be on her way. She hadn't meant to tell Josh how she felt about Toby but she did. Josh was not quite as surprised at Sam was but he was very supportive.

``You have to tell him. You can't wait for him, Alanna.''

``What if he's not interested in me? What if I humiliate myself?''

``I seriously doubt either of those things is going to happen. From what you've told me and from Toby's mood lately, I would say it's a safe bet that he's interested in you.''

``His mood has been terrible!''

``Exactly. That means he's upset about something and he's angry that he's upset. If Toby's interested in you, then he certainly isn't going to do anything about it. So he's probably trying to convince himself he doesn't want you and that's just making him angry.''

``Huh? That makes no sense, Josh.''

``Oh believe me, it does in Toby's world. He's fighting his feelings for you.''

``Why would he do that?''

``Don't ask. Just tell him how you feel or else you will leave here never knowing what might have been.''

``Well I don't know if I can do that but thanks for the advice anyway.''

By the time she wandered back to Leo's office, he was back at his desk.

``Alanna! How was the show last night?''

``Nice. Very nice.''

``What's up for tonight?''

``I'm meeting Jenny and Mallory for dinner.''

``Great! Wait until you see Mallory. You are not going to believe how grown up she is.''

``Yeah, Leo, that happens when you're 25.''

``Don't be smart. She's always going to be my little girl.''

``I know. I was just teasing.''

``Well, tell Jenny and Mallory I said hello.''

``Okay,'' Alanna said, heading for the door. ``I'll talk to you later.''

``Bye.''

By the time Alanna checked to see if Toby and Sam were back in their offices, it was after 6 p.m. She stopped in to see Sam first.

``Hi Sam,'' she greeted him and he looked up from his computer.

``Oh hi, how's it going?''

``Pretty good. I was thinking of going to chat with Toby. Would it be wise of me to go see him?''

Sam raised his eyebrows in surprise. ``Well he's still in a pretty sour mood so I suggest you forget it or else proceed at your own peril.''

When she arrived at Toby's office, he was bent over some papers, scribbling. She knocked.

``Toby?''

He looked up at her.

``Can I come in?''

``I have work,'' he said stiffly.

``I know but just for a minute? I haven't really seen you since the other night when we had that nice talk and I...''

``People work here, Alanna,'' Toby interrupted her, standing up. ``I know you're on vacation and you want to visit with everyone. But we have work. We don't have time to chat with you,'' he continued, his tone mocking. ``You have constantly interrupted the work pattern of everyone here.''

``I think you're exaggerating just a bit, Toby. I didn't even get here until the afternoon today and I was gone almost all day yesterday with Leo.''

``So you interrupted his work schedule today instead of mine and Sam's. Good for you.''

``Wow, someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning.''

``Whether I did or didn't doesn't really concern you, does it? This is my office; this is my work and you are interrupting!'' he finished, his voice close to a yell.

Alanna felt suddenly self-conscious and embarrassed. She wanted to slither out the door and never look at Toby again. But she wouldn't. She would not allow him to make her cower. She hadn't done anything wrong. Alanna pulled her shoulders back, waiting for him to bait her again.

``Do you have something against me, Toby? Do you hate me for some reason known only to you? Because - with the exception of that night at the residence - you have treated me like I'm gum stuck to your shoe. What the hell did I do to deserve this kind of treatment?''

Toby stood there, looking mildly surprised, as if he couldn't believe Alanna would dare question him. Then he walked toward her and she could almost see steam coming out of his ears.

``You dare to come into my office and question me?'' he asked quietly but sternly as he walked toward her. Alanna backed away from him instinctively. ``You have no idea what it's like to do my job. Or Leo's job. Or Sam's job. Sometimes we're here 20 hours a day. Do you know what it's like to try and function on four hours sleep? It's not pleasant. It doesn't make me pleasant to be around!'' His voice got louder as he continued. ``So when you come waltzing in here on your vacation wanting to `chat' when I'm in the middle of a 20-hour day, it makes me a little cranky.''

Toby backed Alanna up so she was leaning against the door of his office. His left hand was braced against the wall and the other hand was waving around, trying to emphasize his point. His face was twisted in anger and something else she couldn't quite identify. Pain? Sorrow? She didn't really think he would hit her but she felt fear nonetheless. Fear of what, though? That he hates me, she realized.

At the same time, she also enjoyed the feel of him so close to her. She could see his brown eyes dancing with anger and she could feel the heat from his body it was so close. Alanna realized she didn't want to fight with him anymore. Okay Josh, I'm going to take the plunge, she thought.

``Toby, I wish you didn't hate me so much because I'm actually rather fond of you,'' she said and, without thinking, reached out to touch him on the cheek. She felt her heart constrict in fear. There I said it. Now what? Please, Toby, don't rip my heart out, she prayed silently.

Toby was stunned at Alanna's words and suddenly his emotions were in turmoil. He had been so sure that she was interested in Sam. Could Alanna possibly mean that she was attracted to him, Toby wondered. Or was she just trying to express friendship? He closed his eyes, trying to get his feelings under control but he had been doing that entirely too long; the volcano was erupting and he was powerless to stop it.

Alanna watched as Toby's expression changed from anger to bewilderment. He obviously was not expecting Alanna to express any kind of tenderness toward him. He closed his eyes as if warding something he didn't want to see. Oh my God, I should have kept my mouth shut. What have I done?

At the very moment Alanna expected Toby to turn from her, he reached out and cradled her neck in his hand, pulling her toward him. Their lips met and Alanna felt her legs turn to jelly. She wrapped her arms around Toby, leaning into him for support. He felt sure and strong to Alanna. She wanted to melt into him and stay there.

Toby moved his lips over Alanna's tenderly yet intently. His beard tickled her skin a little but she did not feel like laughing. She wanted to devour this man who made her feel so many wonderful emotions.

Toby put his hands on either side of Alanna's face, touching her tenderly. He could not really believe that this was happening. He was holding her, kissing her. He had imagined it for days but never really believed it would happen. He caressed her soft skin as he kissed her and ran his fingers through her silky hair. He wanted to learn every curve, every molecule of her.

``I've been wanting to do that since you first bumped into me,'' he said when they finally broke apart.

``Is that why you were so snippy with me?'' Alanna whispered, her face still flush from their heated kiss.

``I guess I was jealous,'' he said sheepishly, shrugging his shoulders.

``Jealous of who?'' Alanna asked, puzzled. ``I've only had eyes for you since I arrived here.''

``Sam.''

``Sam?!'' she exclaimed, the very idea surprising to her. ``He's like a kid brother to me. I even told him how I felt about you.''

``He never mentioned it to me.''

``But why Sam? I certainly didn't flirt with him.''

``You spent a lot of time with him. And you obviously enjoyed his company. Besides Sam has women falling all over him. He even has hookers at his beck and call.''

``What?''

``Never mind. I'm just glad you told me how you felt.''

``Me, too. That was some kiss. I'd like some more please.''

``Your wish is my command,'' Toby said, smiling and leaned in for another tender kiss.

``Mm, Toby,'' Alanna interrupted him a few moments later. ``I just remembered I am meeting Jenny and Mallory for dinner in about 20 minutes.''

``That's very disappointing,'' he said, a sweet grin on his face.

Alanna placed her hand on his chest. She could feel his warmth.``Any chance we could meet later?''

He looked intently into her eyes then and Alanna felt her heart skip a beat. ``I'll be here. Why don't you call when you're finished?''

She nodded and kissed him one more time before leaving.

Alanna daydreamed all through dinner despite her excitement at seeing Mallory again. She was barely able to keep up her end of the conversation. She kept remembering the feel of Toby's lips on hers, the way his body moved against hers.